Md/Ph.D essay

[NeuroChaos]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Could any one please give some pointers on the MD/Ph.D essay? There is tons of info on the PS for MD part, but little to nothing on how to write the MD/Ph.D essay.. Mdphds.org does not give much info.

I know it is a simple essay for y MD/Ph.D. But does it have to straight I want to do MD/Ph.d becoz....
or you have to be creative, flowery, like the PS?

It is some what frustrating to see MD/Ph.D bunched together with MDs eventhough they are two very different programs

Any suggestions/comments/pointers will be much appreciated.

 

[reine1jb]

Could any one please give some pointers on the MD/Ph.D essay? There is tons of info on the PS for MD part, but little to nothing on how to write the MD/Ph.D essay.. Mdphds.org does not give much info.

I know it is a simple essay for y MD/Ph.D. But does it have to straight I want to do MD/Ph.d becoz....
or you have to be creative, flowery, like the PS?

It is some what frustrating to see MD/Ph.D bunched together with MDs eventhough they are two very different programs

Any suggestions/comments/pointers will be much appreciated.

I don't know if you would want it to be "flowery". You must find a way to convey your passion for pursuing the MD/PhD combined degree. Seems simple but putting it into words that strongly convince the reader that the MD/PhD pathway is for you is not so simple...I'm sure others will give very good insight into how they constructed their essays but I focused on these reasons:

1) being able to be in a position to bridge the gap between basic science and clinical medicine, ie translational research

2) using observations made in the clinic (bedside) to the lab in order to study pathophysiology and/or theaurpeutic mechanisms. Many people refer to this as bench to bedside

For example, I met an MD/PhD who studies severe immunodeficiency disorders. He treats patients with these diseases. His lab and other labs were able to figure out the genes that are mutated in these disorders, studied how the proteins function, how the mutation affects that function and ultimately (with others) bring a new treatment to the patients that markedly improves their condition.

I used this as a center piece in my essay as this is why I want to pursue the combined degree.

I think everyone has their own unique spin for this essay but I still feel simple is better, and that the more convincing you are in being able to describe why both degrees are necessary for your career goals is crucial.

I can't remember if I talked about this during my interviews or in my essay but I remember laying out in some fashion how pursuing only one of the degrees would not be sufficient for me (For instance, PhD=no treating patients, MD only training=no protected research time during training)
Even if you end up being primarily a researcher and hardly treat patients, I think that the clinical training gives you such a unique perspective to your research that PhD's probably do not get

just my two cents

 

[StIGMA]

I would be interested to hear how other people wrote their essays also.

My PS was more lively and had some nice literature elements. On the other hand, I wrote my MD/PhD essay very rigid and scientific. I forget the specific prompt, but I made the case why I wanted to pursue an MD/PhD, what my career goals were, what prompted me to want to pursue an MD/PhD, how I investigated what a career as an MD/PhD would entail, how my research experiences led me to decide that I wanted a career in science, why I NEED the MD/PhD for my career and not solely the MD or PhD alone... and foremost why their money should support me. You do not need to take up the whole space; I only used ~65-70% of the allotted space.

To reiterate, I argued why I needed the MD/PhD for my future career and why I was prepared to train for the combined degrees. I gave hard evidence of my preparedness, ie: worked X hours in lab A researching Y, worked C hours in lab B researching Z, have pursued advanced scientific coursework, attended conferences, presented my research at blank and blank conferences ... and have ultimately learned the career path of an MD/PhD... 80/20, writes grants, primarily a researcher... whatever that lets the program know that you have researched the career, that it is what you need for your career goals, and that you are prepared for the program (and intend to stay in science). I will not and I hope others do not quote any part of their own essays. Lastly, think about your audience - pretend you are writing a grant (because you are more or less competing for one).

 

[Vader]

I think this is all good advice. Don't worry too much about the MD/PhD essay--it should be a description that shows how your interests led you to pursue the MD/PhD pathway and briefly about what your career goals are. It doesn't have to be as flowery as the personal statement, but be sure to make it interesting to the reader, as the people who review your application read many other applications as well. Try to highlight the unique elements of your application in relation to science and medicine. This will make the essay stand out and be more memorable to the reader. Again don't worry--but be sure to know everything you write, as it is all fair game during interviews!

 

[InNotOf]

Would it be detrimental to have a "flowery" MD/PhD statement as long as it clearly and strongly states one's reasons for choosing that path? I have an anecdote I want to use as a lead-in and "WHAM!" conclusion but don't want to risk sounding unprofessional. It would be about the same level of "floweriness" as the main PS.

 

[itsallthesame]

i think you might have been asking about the prompts too, op? there are two md/phd essays.

there is the ~3k why md/phd essay and the ~10k describe your research essay.

i made my why essay a little bit flowery. not quite as metaphorical as my PS, addressed my specific desire for attaining both degrees and my career goals using personal experiences (both research/med and other life stuff). remember it's going to be read mostly by people research folks.

the long essay was the past tense of what a grant would have looked like for my projects.

 

[GliaGirl]

For me, personal statement = super flowery (why doing comedy improv will make me a good doctor in a non-patch adams sort of way)

Why MD/PhD = moderately flowery (I like math puzzles and word puzzles, and how that makes me a good doctor and researcher)

Research essay = no crap, no flowers

I always say try to make your essays unique in a good way. You want to sound interesting enough to want to meet in person. I attribute my large amount of interview invitations (12, of which I only went to 7) to my interesting essays and strong recommendations.

 

[NeuroChaos]

Oh, oK I understand. It has to be "flowery" (y did I use this word?) to some extent to keep the reader interested. and must get your motivation across. I like the idea of putting stories in. I can give 1600 different factual arguments, but they wont be remembered or stick in their mind. If I could make the same arguements in the form of story or be creative w/ them somehow, it will make it all the more interesting .

Oh yes, I am aware of the 2 essays. the 10k essay is basically your research. I can't see any way to make that flowery.

 

[Vader]

You still want to make the research essay interesting to the reader. Don't use Shakespearean metaphors or make it sound like verses from the Iliad. But don't let it be too dry either--nothing worse than reading a 10k research essay that is as boring as watching paint dry.

Also, be sure to have other people read your essay. I repeat, HAVE PEOPLE READ YOUR ESSAY. Have them read it for spelling and grammar (which must be impeccable), organization, and interest. You will likely need to revise the essays multiple times--don't be afraid to change things. Just be sure to keep old drafts just in case you need to change things back. You should definitely have your research advisor read the essays and give feedback, along with other people familiar and not familiar with science. Also avoid jargon at all costs--no better way to make your reader fall asleep than to fill your essay with terms that only a handful of people in the world understand!

Hope this helps! 😀

 

[Red Leader]

hmm I could spend time writing an essay but I guess it'd be better just to paste links of my Nature, Science, and PNAS papers and "42T" in big, bold size 72 letters. Comic Sans font of course, to show that I have character.

 

[itsallthesame]

hmm I could spend time writing an essay but I guess it'd be better just to paste links of my Nature, Science, and PNAS papers and "42T" in big, bold size 72 letters. Comic Sans font of course, to show that I have character.

Nature and Science are nice, but without at least one Cell or NEJM, you really don't stand a chance at getting into even a lower tier MD/PhD program. You really should consider alternatives like being a lifer lab tech or LPN.

 

[Vader]

hmm I could spend time writing an essay but I guess it'd be better just to paste links of my Nature, Science, and PNAS papers and "42T" in big, bold size 72 letters. Comic Sans font of course, to show that I have character.

Now THAT would be a big red flag! 😛

 

[CielloStelatto]

hmm I could spend time writing an essay but I guess it'd be better just to paste links of my Nature, Science, and PNAS papers and "42T" in big, bold size 72 letters. Comic Sans font of course, to show that I have character.

Science? 42T? Weak... 😛 (Also, I wish..)

also...Comic Sans?? eww..

 

[Red Leader]

Science? 42T? Weak... 😛 (Also, I wish..)

also...Comic Sans?? eww..

I see the times have changed. Perhaps wingdings then. The strategy here of course is to write in a font they can't read so they can't judge me.

 

[CielloStelatto]

hieroglyphics, then?

 

[Maebea]

Whatever you do, please avoid the use of the word "tutelage"; as in "Under the tutelage of Dr. Smith..." I read scores of variations on this phrase every year and it drives me crazy.

In general, do not use less common words to make your essay seem more erudite; it usually does not work and makes you look like a poser. Tutelage can mean "instruction of an individual", but the more common connotation is one who serves as a protector or guardian. Just say "Under the direction of Dr. Smith", or better still say "In Dr. Smith's lab I..." These phrases are much more accurate and do not leave the reader wondering whether you are some sort of a freak that uses words like tutelage, serendipity, and inchoate in everyday conversation, or are just trying to sound smart & sophisticated. Either way, it comes across as pretentious.

Think complex, elegant thoughts, but express them simply and economically.

 

[Red Leader]

Whatever you do, please avoid the use of the word "tutelage"; as in "Under the tutelage of Dr. Smith..." I read scores of variations on this phrase every year and it drives me crazy.

In general, do not use less common words to make your essay seem more erudite; it usually does not work and makes you look like a poser. Tutelage can mean "instruction of an individual", but the more common connotation is one who serves as a protector or guardian. Just say "Under the direction of Dr. Smith", or better still say "In Dr. Smith's lab I..." These phrases are much more accurate and do not leave the reader wondering whether you are some sort of a freak that uses words like tutelage, serendipity, and inchoate in everyday conversation, or are just trying to sound smart & sophisticated. Either way, it comes across as pretentious.

Think complex, elegant thoughts, but express them simply and economically.

Yea if you constantly are referring to thesaurus.com when you're writing that's a big red flag. It might force the other guy reading to:

a) constantly refer to dictionary.com when reading
b) not give a crap and judge you poorly

both are bad.

 

[itsallthesame]

I should only hope that someone who doesn't know the meanings of tutelage or lacks sufficient reading skills to deduce the intended meaning from the presented context isn't reading med school essays. Also, the fact that many people are using a particular phrase suggests that its context is clear enough that both they and those proof reading their essays understand the intended meaning.

I am not saying that sounding pretentious is a wise idea; however, if the people assessing your competency for admission to a particular medical school can't read the Queen's English at a secondary school level, I doubt that you would want to attend that school.

 

[Neuronix]

I loled at the post above me. Welcome back Maebea 🙂

 

[gbwillner]

Whatever you do, please avoid the use of the word "tutelage"; as in "Under the tutelage of Dr. Smith..." I read scores of variations on this phrase every year and it drives me crazy.

In general, do not use less common words to make your essay seem more erudite; it usually does not work and makes you look like a poser. Tutelage can mean "instruction of an individual", but the more common connotation is one who serves as a protector or guardian. Just say "Under the direction of Dr. Smith", or better still say "In Dr. Smith's lab I..." These phrases are much more accurate and do not leave the reader wondering whether you are some sort of a freak that uses words like tutelage, serendipity, and inchoate in everyday conversation, or are just trying to sound smart & sophisticated. Either way, it comes across as pretentious.

Think complex, elegant thoughts, but express them simply and economically.

Hahahah.....

/wait... I use the word "serendipity" a lot... maybe I'm a poser. But then again it does describe how I fell into my thesis project and lab...
//reminds me of an old "kids in the Hall" episode...